San Francisco 49ers star Ricky Pearsall shot after ‘thief tried to steal his Rolex watch’ as cops arrest boy, 17

SAN Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot on Saturday after a robber allegedly tried to take his Rolex watch and cops have now arrested a 17-year-old boy.

The boy attempted to rob Pearsall at gunpoint in Union Square in downtown San Francisco on Saturday.

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Police arrested the suspect as he tried to flee the scene, NBC affiliate PFT reported.

The suspect’s name has not been released but it is known that the boy resides in Tracey, California – about an hour’s drive from Sacramento.

Charges are pending at this time and the 17-year-old will be charged in juvenile court, according to the district attorney’s office.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott reported that the gun used in the shooting had been recovered and as far as they know, the suspect was acting alone.

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He said that Pearsall was not specifically targeted because he is a 49ers player.

This is an active investigation that is a high priority for the police.

“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city,” Scott said.

At this moment in time, both Pearsall and the suspect are in stable condition.

Pearsall is being treated for his injuries at San Francisco General Hospital, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who represents the Union Square district, said he had been told by police that the suspect tried to take Pearsall’s Rolex watch.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott spoke at a news conference on Saturday night but would not confirm that the Rolex was the target of the attempted robbery.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said her office expects to make a charging decision by the middle of next week.

WHAT HAPPENED?

San Francisco Mayor London Breed confirmed the news of Ricky Pearsall’s, 32, shooting in a tweet on Saturday evening.

“This afternoon, there was an attempted robbery in Union Square involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and he was shot,” she wrote.

“SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made.

“My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time. We will provide more updates, including on his condition, as I receive them.”

Pearsall’s mother, Erin, shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son on Facebook, where she thanked God for “protecting” her “baby boy.”

“Update on my baby boy,” Erin began her message.

“First and far most [sic] I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy. He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him,” she continued.

“He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs.”

Erin also gave an update on her son’s current condition, revealing that he was in “good spirits” despite the violent shooting.

“He is in good spirits right now. Life is so precious my friends. Please love each other,” she continued.

“My son was spared today by the grace of GOD,” she added, alongside a praying hands emoji.

“Please pray for my baby,” she finished, adding another praying hands emoji alongside a red heart emoji.

Fellow 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel appeared to comment on the incident in a tweet on Saturday evening.

“He’s good. Thank god!!!!” he tweeted .

Pearsall was said to be on his way to a signing when the shooting took place, police reportedly told a local Fox affiliate .

The rookie allegedly “struggled for the gun” in the incident.

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Mayor Breed called the shooting of Pearsall a “setback” for the city of San Francisco.

The 49ers released a statement on the incident later on Saturday evening.

“He sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition,” they stated.

“We ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”

Pearsall was picked 31st overall out of Florida in the 2024 NFL Draft , having previously also played for Arizona State.

This past season, Pearsall had a career year for the Gators, racking up 965 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.

He was limited throughout his first preseason in San Francisco, with a shoulder injury preventing him from taking to the field during any of their three games.

Despite this, Pearsall is listed as active on the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster.

Following their third and final preseason game on August 23, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he was hopeful Pearsall would be able to play in Week 1 when they host the New York Jets .

“I hope so. We’ll see how he is this week,” he said.

“Hoping to get back into practice this week, and if he does that’s a pretty good sign he could be available.”

The Jets will take on San Francisco on Monday, September 9 at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers will be hoping to pick up their new season where they left off last when they narrowly missed out on the Super Bowl in an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs .

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